Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Morgantown, WV: $53,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Morgantown, WV earns a median $53,273/year (≈ $25.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $57,085 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Morgantown, West Virginia, licensed practical nurses benefit from a projected median annual salary of $53,273 in 2026, which sits significantly below the national benchmark of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $50,662 at the 10th percentile to as high as $67,574 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect not only the local demand for LPNs but also the influence of West Virginia’s scope-of-practice regulations, which grant LPNs the ability to perform tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessment. Job opportunities for LPNs in Morgantown remain steady, particularly in settings where these skills are essential, providing a foundation for professional growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,662 | $24.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,681 | $25.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,273 | $25.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,574 | $32.49 |
Median Salary Position
21.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,912 (2026 est.). At $53,273, the local median is 21.74% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Morgantown Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $53,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $57,655 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -21.74% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $53,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.74% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.60% below the West Virginia state average of $57,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $53,273 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,085 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.16% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$36,560
2025 BLS Actual
$50,400
2026 Current Est.
$53,273
2019–2027 Growth
+54.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,309 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.9% from $36,560 (2019) to $50,400 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,309 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,749 (54.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,662 – $52,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,681 – $53,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,273 – $64,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,340 – $67,574 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Morgantown
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Morgantown includes approximately 630 employed LPNs, suggesting a stable demand in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 93.323, the local economy can offer a different purchasing power compared to national averages, making Morgantown an appealing option for LPNs seeking entry-level positions or a career in long-term care. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by hospitals, which may provide additional financial incentives such as shift differentials and holiday pay. The broad salary spectrum can be attributed to various factors, including the setting of employment and certain qualifications like IV therapy certification. Those aiming to maximize their earning potential should focus on gaining experience in specialized areas or pursuing additional certifications while considering long-term roles within skilled nursing or rehabilitation facilities for better pay trajectories.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Morgantown, WV in 2026?
Is Morgantown, WV a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Morgantown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Morgantown?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Morgantown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in West Virginia
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,400 for licensed practical nursesin the Morgantown metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov